Norinco M14 Blew Up

[on-ca]

Hi,

do you trim your cases to ensure it's not > max length. In these scenarios the case would go into the rifling and thus dramatically increase pressure when fired.

on-ca

 

[gnmontey]

The M14 is very sensitive to the distance between the trigger assembly and the receiver, or the pressure applied to the trigger assembly when the guard is in place.

Thinner or thicker stock can cause issues, fairly common problem.

"The Test after Assembly " Proves this out, correct?

 

[misanthropist]

"The Test after Assembly " Proves this out, correct?

Yep! Hijack over!

 

[suprathepeg]

Keep in mind that the M305 is not a .308 rifle (despite what is engraved on the side) its a 7.62 Nato rifle. Some are a no-go for .308, did you check your headspacing?

 

[Onagoth]

 

[Satain]

Keep in mind that the M305 is not a .308 rifle (despite what is engraved on the side) its a 7.62 Nato rifle. Some are a no-go for .308, did you check your headspacing?

I seen a guy's with a head space of 11-12 over. I told him the same thing.

 

[matty86suk]

according the reloading info i have is 45.5 is the max load with a 150gr bullet, where you using a powder measure, did you weigh every charge??
i just started reloading for my m14, i am using ivi brass and starting at 39gr of imr4895, with a 150gr fmj, i am glad you are not hurt bad from this, i will be sending my m14 to the smith to make sure it is good to shoot 308
wanna sell your mags if the gun is junk??

matt

 

[rdelliott]

Is it even possible to double charge a 308 case with IMR 4895??? i.e. 90 grains instead of 45???

Never used IMR 4895, but it's impossible to double charge one with H4895; there isn't room in the case for a double charge.

 

[desporterizer]

Pics of blow ups? I got one

Happens to the best of us.

 

[Brobee]

And a very interesting one at that! Was there any damage to the bolt or was it just the barrel that let go?

Brobee

 

[desporterizer]

Just the barrel & anything around it was damaged. I was going to repair it but it was under warranty & as luck would have it there were no others to replace it at the time. Hurt like a son of a ##### & I crapped my pants but no real damage to me.

 

[Drewz]

Friggin glad you didn't get hurt, that could have gone wayyyyyyyy worse. Could the round have been fired before it was seated???

 

[Brentn]

I would figure it's about the same as a grenade going off in your hands... Lots of metal sealed around an explosive charge right?

Looks like the reciever is a-o-k in that pic

 

[Claven2]

What primers were you using? MANY semi-auto blowups are due to soft primers and free-float pins. You **SHOULD** be using CCI No.34 milspec primers. Accept no substitute.

 

[#1bcshooter]

What primers were you using? MANY semi-auto blowups are due to soft primers and free-float pins. You **SHOULD** be using CCI No.34 milspec primers. Accept no substitute.

Ya if you can find them !

 

[Savage]

Metalurgical problem I would have to say that this would have happened with Factory ammunition , The discolouration /crysrtalization of the outer threaded portion of the barrel stub in the reciever proves this out there is no way that this barrel was destroyed by firing a over charged or under charged reloaded case . Defect in the barrel Steel simple answer

 

[gnmontey]

Is the barrel obstructed or bulged?

Seems to me that that kind of separation happened to some one else not long ago.

 

[Savage]

What primers were you using? MANY semi-auto blowups are due to soft primers and free-float pins. You **SHOULD** be using CCI No.34 milspec primers. Accept no substitute.

This is not a case of being fired out of battery I use match grade primers in my m14s I have yet to have a problem .The problem arise's if you do not follow safe reloading practices and BTW if the primer is not properly seated it wont matter what type of hardness the primer is it will still go off

 

[liberty]

Glad to see you weren't badly hurt first off. I've been next to a gun that blew and it wasn't any fun.

I've been loading with H4895 and using 42 gr. with Winchester LR primers for best accuracy and cycling.

I found when I loaded hotter the load was hard cycling and battering the rifle.

45 gr H4895 is on the top end for that bullet weight.

If you have some loads left, check for high primers.

I always check that they are below flush and this can be checked with just your finger tip. I uniform my primer pockets and it helps.

I also full length size my brass every time, never neck size or partial size, as I want the cartridge to fully chamber easily before I pull the trigger.

Full length sizing is harder on the brass than other sizing methods but I consider it essential in these rifles.

I use regular dies not small base. I don't think they are required.

 

[scanner]

Dogleg, I hope you did'nt get hurt too bad when the shrapnel came back.

Do you have the empty cases fired from the gun before it blew? I'm wondering if they show any sign of head space problems like a swelled base, etc.

Does the serial # on the bolt match with the barrel and action?

If I understood your post about a chunk missing, meaning the right bolt lug? maybe there was space between the locking lug and the reciver?

was this a newer Norinco or an older one?